History of the CIP Pulp and Paper Mill Plant

By 1822, twenty-two mills were in operation in the Hawkesbury area using the Ottawa River as a transportation corridor. Following the square timber era of the early 1850's, vast quantities of sawn lumber from the Ottawa valley were sold to the north eastern states to build the great cities of Chicago, New York and Boston. The development and sales of lumber during that period, served as the economic engine for all of Canada.

In the 1890's, cellulose manufacturing, a major component in the production of paper, began along the western waterfront in the Town of Hawkesbury. The property and plant was owned and operated by Canadian International Pulp and Paper (CIP) from 1921 to 1982.

History of the lagoon

With the construction of the Carillon Dam in 1965, waste from the mill was no longer permitted to be discharged into the Ottawa River. As CIP was one of the largest employers in the area, many solutions to the problem were explored. An adjacent parcel of crown land was deemed suitable for the disposal of waste cellulose fibres into a newly constructed "Wet Lagoon". Tenure for use of the property was provided by a License of Occupation, administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Demolition in 1984-85

In the mid 1980's, the CIP mill was closed and the buildings demolished. A Certificate of Approval was issued by the Ministry of Environment for the use of part of the Wet Lagoon as a landfill for some of the inert demolition materials. The License of Occupation was surrendered at that time but no provision had been made to force CIP to restore the site.

Letters from the Town of Hawkesbury

• 31 March 1999290.94 KB
• 23 August 200755.17 KB
• 15 October 2007
• 14 January 200882.44 KB
• 11 mars 2008

CIP Wet Lagoon Community Advisory Committee

The “CIP Wet Lagoon Community Advisory Committee” has been formed with representation from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of the Environment, Town of Hawkesbury and community representatives. The committee may include ex-officio members such as the local M.P.P. and M.P. or their designated representatives. The committee will dissolve at the completion of the project.

The Committee established four working groups: Wet Lagoon and Site Rehabilitation, Cellulose Fibre Recycling Options, Economic Development, and Project Communications. The working groups will succinctly report back to the committee at the regular committee meetings. At the completion of the project, the Cellulose Fibre Recycling and Economic Development groups may wish to explore other opportunities and choose to continue without MNR involvement.

Working Groups

Wet Lagoon and Site Rehabilitation:

Tasks and Focus - led by MNR Project Manager, Suzanne Lafrance.

1. Identify and ensure compliance with all existing legislation and applicable Class EA requirements.
2. Demolition Waste - to be left in place. Rehabilitation to take place as part of final naturalization.
3. Standing/Waste Water Treatment - remove standing water, treat and discharge according to MOE approved guidelines. Inlet and outlet pipes to be capped and/or removed.
4. Muck removed and spread on site.
5. Cellulose Fibre: (Option A) removed and sold (RFP) or (Option B) removed, dried and buried/capped. (Tender).
6. Rehabilitation of site: Re-open river channel, land base naturalized and erosion control where required.
7. Disposition of Site: MNR to declare site surplus to our needs. Town of Hawkesbury has expressed interest in acquiring ownership after the cleanup is completed.

Group Members: MNR, MOE and Town of Hawkesbury.

Cellulose Fibre Recycling Options:

Tasks and Focus led by MNR Area Supervisor, Jim Fraser.

1. Identify current uses for the type of cellulose fibre found in the CIP Wet Lagoon.
2. Determine if cellulose fibre found in the CIP Wet lagoon could be dried, bagged and sold to nurseries as mulch.
3. Identify what markets currently exist for the type of cellulose fibre found in the CIP Wet Lagoon.
4. Determine the market value for the estimated quantities of cellulose fibre found in the CIP Wet Lagoon.
5. Determine how quickly the cellulose fibre could be removed from site once the CIP Wet Lagoon is dewatered and muck removed.

Group Members: Adjacent Landowners, MNR and MOE.

1. If the cellulose fibre located in the wet lagoon proves to be a marketable commodity, it will be sold at market value or a per tonne fee (as with aggregates) will be collected. Funds generated will be used by MNR to offset site naturalization/rehabilitation costs.

Economic Development:

Tasks and Focus - led by designate from Town of Hawkesbury with support from MNR Project Manager, Suzanne Lafrance.

1. Explore options and opportunities for long term development of the area.
2. Provide a concept design for a passive recreation area on the CIP Wet Lagoon site and provide an economic value estimate of such a "green space" within a community.
3. Explore alternate partnerships and funding opportunities for economic development i.e. CFDC, Ministries of Tourism, Recreation and Culture and Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Group Members: Town of Hawkesbury, Adjacent Landowners, MNR.

Project Communications:

Tasks and Focus - led by MNR Project Manager, Suzanne Lafrance with designate from Town of Hawkesbury, Mayor's office.

1. Prepare and provide periodic updates for public distribution.
2. Plan, prepare and host public open houses as required.
3. Prepare and provide updates for community groups as time and resources permit.
4. Prepare and deliver an adjacent landowner communication strategy for the period of rehabilitation. (Presence of trucks, equipment, hours of operation etc.)
5. Prepare and provide final project report for public distribution.

Group Members:

MNR and Town of Hawkesbury.

Terms of Reference, CIP Lagoon Community Advisory Committee

The "CIP Wet Lagoon Community Advisory Committee" will be formed with representation from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Ministry of the Environment (OMOE), Town of Hawkesbury and Community Representatives. The committee may include ex-officio members such as the local M.P.P. and M.P. or their designated representatives. The committee will dissolve at the completion of the project.

The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will establish four working groups: Wet Lagoon and Site Rehabilitation; Cellulose Fibre Recycling Options; Economic Development; and Project Communications. The working groups, as required, will succinctly report back to the committee at the regular meetings. At the completion of the project, the Cellulose Fibre Recycling and Economic Development groups may wish to explore other opportunities for offsite development and choose to continue without OMNR or OMOE involvement. (See attached Appendix 1: Community Advisory Committee - Working Groups & Focus).

Purpose:

The Community Advisory Committee is an information forum. Members will:

1. provide advice and supply information,
2. facilitate local communications,
3. explore cost-sharing and/or alternate funding opportunities,
4. identify expertise in wet lagoon rehabilitation and/or cellulose fibre marketability,
5. create partnerships during the project lifespan.
6. To rehabilitate the CIP Wet Lagoon and naturalize the land base in a cost effective manner.
7. To comply with the OMOE requirements for closure of the site.
8. To comply with and follow OMOE and OMNR Class Environmental Assessment requirements for the CIP Wet Lagoon.
9. To work with the Town of Hawkesbury to explore economic development opportunities.

Membership & Roles of the Community Advisory Committee:

OMNR staff is responsible for managing the CIP Wet Lagoon Rehabilitation Project on a day-to-day basis. In order to ensure coordination in planning and decision-making, OMNR staff will meet regularly to keep each other informed and to jointly review the project status. Information will be made available for review by the Community Advisory Committee.

Membership:

The Community Advisory Committee will consist of the following representation: (See Appendix 2 for Members List):

1. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR)
2. Ontario Ministry of the Environment (OMOE)
3. Town of Hawkesbury
4. Community Representatives (3)
5. Ex-officio members: Local M.P.P. & M.P. and/ or their representatives
6. Participate in the Community Advisory Committee efforts in a proactive and respectful manner;
7. Contribute information for developing closure options;
8. Review, assess and comment on activities, issues and opportunities as required;
9. Ensure the working groups efforts contribute to the goals of scope of this project;
10. Foster, nurture, and support partnerships, with emphasis on cost-sharing and funding opportunities;
11. Participate and contribute in a positive manner to community communication efforts.
12. Each individual will endorse the Communication Protocol. (See attached Appendix 3: CIP Wet Lagoon Communication Protocol).
13. The advisory committee meetings will be chaired by OMNR - Kemptville District staff.
14. Project partnerships and activities are to be presented to the general public in positive terms.
15. Community Advisory Committee members are not to approach project consultants independently unless tasked by a working group.
16. Each member will follow basic email guidelines:A representative of the OMNR - Kemptville District will Chair all meetings and facilitate all conference calls.
    1. Emails should be short, to the point, applicable to the scope of the project and sent only to those who need it;
    2. Restrict yourself to one topic for each message; several short messages are usually preferable to one long message covering many separate subjects;
    3. Avoid overuse of emails.
17. Minutes of the meetings and attachments will be produced by OMNR - Kemptville District staff and sent to committee members at least one week before the next meeting or teleconference call. (Every effort will be made to provide translated versions of minutes and key information items).
18. Community Advisory Committee members will submit agenda items at least two weeks prior to a meeting or a teleconference.

Roles & Responsibilities of the Advisory Committee Members:

1. Participate in the Community Advisory Committee efforts in a proactive and respectful manner;
2. Contribute information for developing closure options;
3. Review, assess and comment on activities, issues and opportunities as required;
4. Ensure the working groups efforts contribute to the goals of scope of this project;
5. Foster, nurture, and support partnerships, with emphasis on cost-sharing and funding opportunities;
6. Participate and contribute in a positive manner to community communication efforts.
7. Each individual will endorse the Communication Protocol. (See attached Appendix 3: CIP Wet Lagoon Communication Protocol).
8. The advisory committee meetings will be chaired by OMNR - Kemptville District staff.
9. Project partnerships and activities are to be presented to the general public in positive terms.
10. Community Advisory Committee members are not to approach project consultants independently unless tasked by a working group.
11. Each member will follow basic email guidelines:
    1. Emails should be short, to the point, applicable to the scope of the project and sent only to those who need it;
    2. Restrict yourself to one topic for each message; several short messages are usually preferable to one long message covering many separate subjects;
    3. Avoid overuse of emails.
12. A representative of the OMNR - Kemptville District will Chair all meetings and facilitate all conference calls.
13. Minutes of the meetings and attachments will be produced by OMNR - Kemptville District staff and sent to committee members at least one week before the next meeting or teleconference call. (Every effort will be made to provide translated versions of minutes and key information items).
14. Community Advisory Committee members will submit agenda items at least two weeks prior to a meeting or a teleconference.

Project Communications:

1. Each individual will endorse the Communication Protocol. (See attached Appendix 3: CIP Wet Lagoon Communication Protocol).
2. The advisory committee meetings will be chaired by OMNR - Kemptville District staff.
3. Project partnerships and activities are to be presented to the general public in positive terms.
4. Community Advisory Committee members are not to approach project consultants independently unless tasked by a working group.
5. Each member will follow basic email guidelines:
   1. Emails should be short, to the point, applicable to the scope of the project and sent only to those who need it;
   2. Restrict yourself to one topic for each message; several short messages are usually preferable to one long message covering many separate subjects;
   3. Avoid overuse of emails.
      

Meetings & Administrative Procedures:

Meeting Schedule:

The Community Advisory Committee will meet face to face on a quarterly basis. The preferred location for meetings will be the municipal offices in the Town of Hawkesbury. Teleconference calls will be held when required to update committee members. Committee members are required to regularly attend the meetings to remain part of the committee. Alternates, substitutes or guests are not permitted to attend without prior permission by the OMNR. Special open meetings may be scheduled as Advisory Committee Members deem appropriate as per the communications protocol.

Meeting Format:

1. Welcome and Introduction of Guests - OMNR Chair
2. OMNR/OMOE Updates
3. Project Specific Update - OMNR Project Manager: Suzanne Lafrance
4. Working Group Reports
5. Other
6. Recap of Action Items - OMNR Project Manager: Suzanne Lafrance

Conflict of Interest:

A Community Advisory Committee member who has in any way, directly or indirectly, a conflict of interest with any activity / transaction / project being considered by the CIP Wet Lagoon Community Advisory Committee shall disclose the nature of their potential conflict and may be asked to leave the discussion and not participate in any decision relating to the subject of potential conflict.

Accountability:

Members of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) are responsible for informing their respective stakeholder groups or agencies within the guidelines of the communications protocol. Feedback and information received from these groups will be shared at CAC meetings.

Meeting Agendas

• Meeting of June 4, 200784.79 KB
• Meeting of August 16, 200785.48 KB
• Meeting of September 19, 200794.47 KB

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) Project Strategy

• fact sheet.pdf143.14 KB
• Preliminary Design Development Phase - CRA Scope Statement18.94 KB

Work Opportunities in the Cleanup

• Government Procurement Procedures
• Request for Proposals, Contracts & Memorandum of Agreements

State of the lagoon - Spring 2008

Schedule

• Presentation - Staged Closure Works73.61 KB

The Environmental Assessment Act

The Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) provides for the protection, conservation and wise management of the environment in Ontario by providing an accountable, logical and reproducible process of decision making. The EAA lays out a planning process and encourages environmental protection within the context of a broadly defined environment.

What does the Environmental Assessment Act apply to?

The Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) applies to most public sector undertakings (the proposed project or activity) and to some private sector undertakings.

Public Sector Undertakings

All public sector undertakings are subject to the EAA unless they have been specifically exempted. Public sector undertakings are defined under section of the EAA and can be generally categorized as those of:

1. Ontario Government Ministries and agencies;
2. Ontario municipalities;
3. Public body or bodies (as defined by the regulation under this Act.

Public sector undertakings, often infrastructure developments, include such things as: public roads and highways; transit facilities; waste management facilities; sewage and water works; and flood protection works.

For more information: www.e-laws.gov.on.ca

The Environmental Assessment Process 

The purpose of the Class EA is to provide efficient and effective project screening and evaluation, and consultation processes that are appropriately matched to projects within the class. This is to ensure that MNR, its partners, and disposition applicants take into account the potential environmental effects of proposed projects. The Class EA procedures do not apply to activities that respond to urgent situations, where there is threat or potential threat to human life or safety, the environment, property, or public services. MNR may proceed with actions that would otherwise be subject to Class EA procedures. Examples: flooding, erosion or collapse of a structure, chemical spills, forest fires For further information the Class EA, follow the link: www.mnr.gov.on.ca

CIP Wet Lagoon Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process

The Ministry of Natural Resources began the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process early in 2008. Through this process, the remediation plan was evaluated. A public consultation session was held on September 4, 2008 and potential environmental impacts were examined. A clear strategy for remediation of the land base will be developed from the EA process.

An ongoing, proactive planning and public consultative program must be established and maintained to ensure that the stakeholder groups and the community of Hawkesbury receive appropriate opportunity to provide input into the final design of the closure plan for the CIP Wet Lagoon. Through this process, all significant technical and environmental concerns and issues must be considered and mitigated. This will involve several meetings with affected review agencies, interest groups, and the public during the preliminary design study.

A Public Consultation program is an essential component of the EA process for the Wet Lagoon Remediation Project. It will enable stakeholders to actively participate in making decisions that affect them and will provide them with the opportunity to examine and comment on the proposed closure alternatives. The EA will include a bilingual public consultation process based on the following principles:

1. The EA consultation will be open by making all reasonable efforts to ensure that potentially affected or interested parties are given the opportunity to comment at each stage of the process and on all closure alternatives;
2. The EA consultation will be transparent and flexible to allow responses to new emerging issues.
3. Open House Presentation, September 4, 20082.23 MB

Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) - Project Proposal

1. Notice of Opportunity To Inspect Draft Environmental Study Report (2008-08-27)127.85 KB
2. Comment Form (2008-08-27)19.32 KB

Final Environmental Study Report (ESR) - Project Plan

1. CIP Wet Lagoon Final Environmental Study Report6.06 MB

Studies and Reports

1. Socio-Economic Benefits Study - FoTenn Planning & Urban Design, June 20083.57 MB
2. Outfall Inspection - ODS Marine, October 2007212.97 KB
3. Hawkesbury Lagoon Sludge Quantity Survey - Natech Environmental Services Inc., 2006129.15 KB
4. Conestoga-Rovers & Associates Conceptual Design, April 2006
   1. Conceptual Design (Part 1)753.36 KB
   2. Conceptual Design (Part 2)1.27 MB
   3. Conceptual Design (Part 3)597.4 KB
5. Report on the Potential Viable Uses and Markets for the Cellulose Fibres, February 2008205.84 KB
6. CIP Wet Lagoon Draft Environmental Study Report5.83 MB

• Project Update - January 27, 2016 Canadian International Paper (CIP) Wet Lagoon Clean-up 728.11 KB
• Project Update - September 25, 2015 Canadian International Paper (CIP) Wet Lagoon Clean-up 471.96 KB
• Project Update - July 13, 2015 Canadian International Paper (CIP) Wet Lagoon Clean-up656.03 KB
• Project Update – December 1, 2014 Canadian International Paper (CIP) Wet Lagoon Cleanup569.03 KB
• Project Update – July 28, 2014 Next Phase of Cleanup Underway at Wet Lagoon Site in Hawkesbury155.74 KB
• Project Update – May 12, 2014 Canadian International Paper (CIP) Wet Lagoon Cleanup155.26 KB
• Project Update – February 12, 2014 - Canadian International Paper (CIP) Wet Lagoon Clean-up Project154.22 KB
• Environmental Cleanup Moving Forward in Hawkesbury – Ontario Government Supports Healthy Environment, Local Communities (February 5, 2014)158.41 KB
• Project Update – February 6, 2014 – Canadian International Paper (CIP) Wet Lagoon Clean-up Project157.61 KB
• Project Update – December 1, 2014 Canadian International Paper (CIP) Wet Lagoon Cleanup569.03 KB
• Project Update – July 28, 2014 Next Phase of Cleanup Underway at Wet Lagoon Site in Hawkesbury155.74 KB
• Project Update – May 12, 2014 Canadian International Paper (CIP) Wet Lagoon Cleanup155.26 KB
• Project Update – February 12, 2014 - Canadian International Paper (CIP) Wet Lagoon Clean-up Project154.22 KB
• Environmental Cleanup Moving Forward in Hawkesbury – Ontario Government Supports Healthy Environment, Local Communities158.41 KB
• Project Update – February 6, 2014 – Canadian International Paper (CIP) Wet Lagoon Clean-up Project157.61 KB
• Ontario To Clean Up Industrial Waste Disposal Site In Hawkesbury55.8 KB

Press Releases

• Ontario to clean up Industrial Waste Disposal Site in Hawkesbury55.80 KB

Clean-up News

• CIP Clean up Options », The Review, 25 juillet 2007585.24 KB
• Search broadens for CIP wet lagoon solution », The Review, 8 août 2007179.63 KB
• New project manager hired to develop plan », The Review, 8 août 2007722.78 KB
• CIP remediation public meeting aims for fall », The Review, 12 septembre 2007172.62 KB
• CIP clean-up socio-economic study contract awarded », The Review, 19 septembre 2007413.15 KB
• Still waters belie CIP lagoon clean-up progress », The Review, 7 novembre 2007267.75 KB
• 19M$ pour dépoluer le bassin de la CIP », Le Carillon, 7 novembre 2007594.21 KB
• Town, residents need to get to work », The Review, 9 janvier 2008125.12 KB
• Life after clean-up of the CIP lagoons: a glimpse of how it could be », The Review, 9 janvier 2008144.94 KB
• Agenda chargé pour la délégation de Hawkesbury à ‹ Full Good Roads › », Le Carillon, 6 février 2008219.71 KB
• La ministre est invitée à un tour guidé des étangs », Le Carillon, 13 mars 2008346.42 KB
• Une autre étape est franchie pour la pollution des terrains », Le Carillon, 9 avril 2008148.92 KB
• Another big step in lagoon clean-up », Tribune Express, 11 avril 2008170.16 KB
• Nous prendrons pleine responsabilité des étangs de la CIP – la ministre Cansfield », Le Carillon, 23 juillet 2008442.44 KB
• We will take full responsibility for CIP lagoon – Minister », Tribune Express, 25 juillet 2008365.65 KB
• Hawkesbury veut se débarasser du ‹ Petit Thurso › », Tribune Express, 20 novembre 2008144.33 KB

Clean-up Photos

Inspection of the Outlet Pipe by ODS Marine Dive Crew, October 24, 2007 (Source: OMNR)

Ministry of Natural Resources

Ministry of the Environment

Town of Hawkesbury